Thermal control system of electric vehicle

Abstract

A thermal control system of an electric vehicle is provided. The thermal control system is automatically operated in one of three operation modes to adjust a circulation path of a cooling liquid according to the ambient temperature, the power system temperature and the cabinet air temperature. Consequently, the temperature of the power system is stabilized, the performance and the use life of the power system are enhanced, and the power consumption of the air-conditioning system is reduced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal control system of an electric vehicle, comprising:
 a first flow switch comprising a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal;   a second flow switch comprising a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal;   a liquid temperature adjuster, wherein a first communication port of the liquid temperature adjuster is connected with the first terminal of the first flow switch, and a second communication port of the liquid temperature adjuster is connected with the first terminal of the second flow switch;   a cabinet heat exchanger, wherein an inlet of the cabinet heat exchanger is connected with the second terminal of the first flow switch, and an outlet of the cabinet heat exchanger is connected with the second terminal of the second flow switch;   a motor cooling channel, wherein an outlet of the motor cooling channel is connected with the third terminal of the first flow switch, and an inlet of the motor cooling channel is connected with the third terminal of the second flow switch; and   a radiator, wherein an inlet of the radiator is connected with the inlet of the motor cooling channel, and an outlet of the radiator is connected with the outlet of the motor cooling channel,   wherein the first flow switch and the second flow switch adjust a circulation path of a cooling liquid according to an operation mode of the thermal control system, wherein if the operation mode is a normal cooling mode, the cooling liquid from the liquid temperature adjuster is transmitted to the cabinet heat exchanger, wherein if the operation mode is a heat recovery mode, the cooling liquid from the motor cooling channel is transmitted to the cabinet heat exchanger, wherein if the operation mode is an assisted-cooling mode, the cooling liquid from the liquid temperature adjuster is transmitted to the motor cooling channel.   
     
     
         2 . The thermal control system of the electric vehicle according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first pump connected between the first communication port of the liquid temperature adjuster and the first terminal of the first flow switch for driving the cooling liquid;   a second pump connected between the outlet of the motor cooling channel and the third terminal of the first flow switch for driving the cooling liquid; and   a third pump connected between the outlet of the motor cooling channel and the inlet of the radiator for driving the cooling liquid.   
     
     
         3 . The thermal control system of the electric vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the thermal control system further comprises a controller, and the controller is electrically connected with the first pump, the second pump, the third pump, the first flow switch and the second flow switch for controlling operations of the first pump, the second pump and the third pump and controlling switching actions of the first flow switch and the second flow switch. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal control system of the electric vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein if the thermal control system is in the normal cooling mode, the first terminal and the second terminal of the first flow switch are in communication with each other, the first terminal and the second terminal of the second flow switch are in communication with each other, the first pump is enabled, and the cooling liquid circularly flows within a circulation path that is defined by the liquid temperature adjuster, the first pump, the first flow switch, the cabinet heat exchanger and the second flow switch collaboratively. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal control system of the electric vehicle according to  claim 4 , wherein if the thermal control system is in the normal cooling mode, the third pump is further enabled, and the cooling liquid circularly flows within a circulation path that is defined by the motor cooling channel, the third pump and the radiator collaboratively. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal control system of the electric vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein if the thermal control system is in the heat recovery mode, the second terminal and the third terminal of the first flow switch are in communication with each other, the second terminal and the third terminal of the second flow switch are in communication with each other, the second pump are enabled, and the cooling liquid circularly flows within a circulation path that is defined by the motor cooling channel, the second pump, the first flow switch, the cabinet heat exchanger and the second flow switch collaboratively. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal control system of the electric vehicle according to  claim 6 , wherein if the thermal control system is in the heat recovery mode, the third pump is further enabled, and the cooling liquid circularly flows within a circulation path that is defined by the motor cooling channel, the third pump and the radiator collaboratively. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal control system of the electric vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein if the thermal control system is in the assisted-cooling mode, the first terminal and the third terminal of the first flow switch are in communication with each other, the first terminal and the third terminal of the second flow switch are in communication with each other, the first pump and the second pump are enabled, and the cooling liquid circularly flows within a circulation path that is defined by the motor cooling channel, the second pump, the first flow switch, the first pump, the liquid temperature adjuster and the second flow switch collaboratively. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal control system of the electric vehicle according to  claim 1 , further comprising a unidirectional check valve, wherein the unidirectional check valve is arranged between the outlet of the radiator and the inlet of the motor cooling channel for stopping the cooling liquid from returning to the radiator.